Looking after my Dad (T2)

[Alansgirl]

I'm trying to support my dad who is T2, 78, smokes, lives on his own and is quite immobile. He will only use a microwave to 'cook' his main meals, but is happy to cook bacon, eggs and sausages. I do most of his shopping and try and limit things that I know he shouldn't eat, but I need some inspiring ideas for meals that I can leave him to prepare on his own. Most of the time I can only visit him once a week and then I prepare something fresh that we eat together.

 

[azure]

Welcome @Alansgirl

Does your dad have a freezer for you to put portioned meals in?

Is he on any meds?

 

[Bluetit1802]

If you make sure his sausages are low in carbohydrate (97% meat or thereabouts) there is nothing wrong with bacon, eggs, sausages, tomato and mushrooms! It is a good meal for diabetics. Eggs cooked any which way are excellent. So no need to worry on that score.

 

[dipsydo]

Scrambled eggs with a lot of butter as well as low carb makes it easier to clean the pan and only takes a a couple of minutes.. you can microwave scramble eggs but not as nice as made on a hob. Microwaving cauliflower,broccoli or green beans is really easy and then can add a bit of flavour by putting a bit of grated cheese on them .. you can buy the cheese grated if you want to make it easy or add some cream.. If you want to be more adventurous can microwave the cauliflower a bit about 3 mins and then put in a oven , putting some butter and cheese on the top and roast for 20 mins. Salads can be nice but maybe not at this time of year. Strawberries or raspberries with cream make good sweet if you can persuade your dad not to add sugar I find a George Foreman grill good if only cooking for one and makes the choice of meat you can cook larger ,
Hope this helps.

 

[Resurgam]

could you cook something like chicken thighs or legs and leave them in the fridge to be warmed up?

 

[Freema]

welcome Alansgirl

 

[Liam1955]

Hello @Alansgirl and Welcome to the Forum .

 

[KezG]

Welcome @Alansgirl

 

[Alansgirl]

Welcome @Alansgirl

Does your dad have a freezer for you to put portioned meals in?

Is he on any meds?

Hi
Yes he does. I already pack mash and any veg such as mashed carrots and swede, but he's not confident enough to thaw things out and then heat them. I sometimes find a meal that I got ready on a plate (after thawing) left in the microwave for his evening meal, still uneaten a couple of days later . I forgot to say that he also has a new plate having had several teeth removed and he's not got used to it yet so eats with his gums. Meat is definitely a challenge.
His meds include
Atorvastatin 20mg
Sukkarto SR 1000mg x2
Ramipril 2.5mg
There is another Diabetes tablet (begins with D) but I don't have a note of that one.

 

[Alansgirl]

Thanks everyone else for your messages.

 

[azure]

Would written instructions make him feel more confident about thawing and heating? Would he be ok reheating something suitable in a saucepan instead eg stew, etc?

With his teeth issues, perhaps soups might be a good idea?

 

[miahara]

Veg soup, or even better chicken and veg soup frozen into meal sized portions that he only needs to heat in the microwave.
Sugar-free jellies with a bit of fruit in in individual containers.
For snacks - Ryvita (the seedy type) and peanut butter or pate and pickles though some pates are higher carb than others.
Cold meats and mixed salad veg and cheese.